Vet visit for new cham needed?

[lily2521]

Do most people visit the vet with a new cham just for a checkup, or only when there's a problem? Should I plan on sending in a fecal sample to be tested, just as a safety measure, or again, is this only done if something is suspected as being wrong?

I'll be getting a baby/juvenile male carpet, captive bred, from a reputable breeder. Just planning ahead as to if we need to visit the vet or not? (assuming he seems healthy upon arrival).

Thanks.

 

[xephyr17]

It's really up to you. I never brought mine to a vet for anything, but that's only because there's not a single herp specialist in my area... it wouldn't hurt

 

[lily2521]

It's really up to you. I never brought mine to a vet for anything, but that's only because there's not a single herp specialist in my area... it wouldn't hurt

I did look and there is one within a 30 minute drive

 

[Traceyd]

I took mine to see the herp vet just to make sure all was fine with him. He was great at the vets but has been a big grumpy ever since. Lol

 

[Carlton]

Do most people visit the vet with a new cham just for a checkup, or only when there's a problem? Should I plan on sending in a fecal sample to be tested, just as a safety measure, or again, is this only done if something is suspected as being wrong?

I'll be getting a baby/juvenile male carpet, captive bred, from a reputable breeder. Just planning ahead as to if we need to visit the vet or not? (assuming he seems healthy upon arrival).

Thanks.

I think what I'd do is take him for a general "introductory" visit and get a fecal tested even though the chance that he has much to treat is low. If you would be a new client for this vet it will start a file on your cham, get the VET curious to do some background research on that species, and start a relationship. You can also get a sense how experienced this vet is with herps (bring in some "test" questions about care that you know the answers to. You may decide you don't like the vet). This way, if something does come up in future you have a bit of a head start on getting good care. It never hurts to have the vet see a pet while its healthy...to have a baseline (weight, fecal results, growth rate, overall condition) to compare to if it does get sick later.